Maria said, “The scenes of people attempting to flee Afghanistan are heart breaking and on Wednesday when Parliament is recalled. I shall be urging the Government to do everything possible to ensure not only the safety of British Citizens but also those Afghans who now fear for their lives under the new regime.
“Britain has worked with partners for more than two decades to help establish an Afghan Government that respects the rights of its citizens to live freely in a country that no longer plays host to terrorism. There are families throughout Basingstoke and North Hampshire who played their part in that vital mission, and in doing so directly helped tackle the terrorism threat in our own country too. I met serving personnel from Basingstoke and North Hampshire involved in that work when I was attached to the RAF and visited Afghanistan. I pay tribute to their work, and above all, those armed forces personal who lost their lives working to make the world a safer place. Along with the UN and NATO the UK must find new ways to tackle this extremist threat and support those ordinary people in crisis in Afghanistan. I fully support the Government’s work to offer sanctuary to Afghan nationals who worked with the British armed forces and now fear for their lives. I hope that just as they helped us we are able to help them in their time of need.”
“An important part of the work done in Afghanistan has been enabling women to play a fuller role. In July I met women in the Afghan Parliament to discuss their concerns and fears about a new Taliban led administration and I shall be urging the UK Government to do all they can to assure the continued role of this group of tenacious women."
“Whilst our country faces financial crisis following the global pandemic ,the situation in Afghanistan underlines the importance of the work Britain does abroad. I fully support the Government in spending more than £100 million in aid this year to Afghanistan and the continued work with international partners to ensure humanitarian support to the Afghan people at this time of crisis.”
